Posted by Nellie on March 1, 2015, 6:01 am, in reply to "Re: stomachers"
Thank you mauriz. I had read of some of those garments, and even that men wore some stomachers, with open jackets.
In recent years I have preferred the term bodice ornament for the elaborate jewelled arrangements royal ladies have worn.
--Previous Message-- : : --Previous Message-- : [snip] : However, my belief is that that odd term : "stomacher" originally referred to : a large embroidered decoration covering the : bodice, and for those long pointed bodices : the decoration would have extended down to : over the stomach. : [snip] : : Not only a decoration, but a (decorated) : triangular panel of (boned) fabric itself. : The gown was open in the front and the : stomacher was used to cover that gap. Two : examples from the digital archives of the : Kyoto Costume Institute: : : : : A stomacher could have various shapes and : sizes over the centuries with some : ridiculously unpractical fashion excesses, : and was in some periods attached underneath, : in others above the dress. The perception of : the stomacher as part of the undergarments : and thus a tendency to cover it is a fairly : late development. : : :